My mother in law is bedridden, shaking, incontinent and virtually sleeps all day, no one seems to care?

My 76 year old mother in law was put on Abilify last December due to bi polar disorder, paranoria, psychotic episodes. Afterward she seemed to develop shaking in her hands, that progressed to her head, literally severe tremors, along with muscle weakness. It then developed into a complete inability to walk or function. She is now bedridden, incontinent and virtually sleeps all day. At the beginning of her diagnosis she had white matter degradation, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorder, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat but other than the psychotic episodes which became more frequent, she was functional, mobile and able to hold a conversation. She has had 2 ER visits to the local hospital in PA, where they ran a battery of tests, could find nothing wrong and discharged her. Her physician does not care, and told us she is of sound mind and body (completely laughable.) The hospital psychiatrist who placed her on the Abilify only treats those patients in the hospital mental health ward. He will not see or consult on outside patients even if he saw them while they were previously in the hospital. We have attempted to transfer her to another physician but zero anywhere nearby are taking new patients. Its a catch 22. Her physician recently took her off the Abilify cold turkey which seems to be counter indicated, but there is zero improvement. She was placed in assisted living by her psychiatrist last December, one of the conditions of discharge, as she was attempting to injure my father in law. The nursing staff is baffled and frustrated. We, as her family, are equally so. Any ideas or advice? She is also on Glipizine 10mg 2x per day, Metropolol Tartrate 25mg daily, Lisinopril 10mg daily, Levothyroxine sodium 100mcg daily, Coumadin 5mg daily, Divalproex 500mg 2x daily, Atorvastin Calcium 10mg daily. It as if no one cares, and she is not up for travel. I am wondering if we should try to check her into a larger hospital 60+ miles away?


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Masr Fawzy
12:33 am

Getting treatment from a mental health provider with experience in bipolar disorder can help you get your mother in law’ s symptoms under control So yes off course she need specialized hospital.. Few patients with bipolar disorders are recieving the treatment they need, Treatment is best guided by a psychiatrist skilled in treating bipolar disorder . She may have a treatment team that also includes a psychologist, social worker and psychiatric nurse. And do not forget, she had an attempt to harm someone and this is a red flag , may be next time she can hurt herself , Take… Read more »

Ahmed Fawzy
5:27 am

In my opinion in ability to move is due to parkinsonism, recommend you see a neurologist , here bipolar disorder can be an indicator that she needs more thyroid (event like attacking your father in law can be hypothyroidism ) see an endocrinologist as well

Good Luck

MAHAVEER PATIL
6:19 am

hi,
your mother in law needs hospitalisation.
She is not in a condition wherein she can improve just by taking oral medicines.
A detailed consultation with a psychiatrist needs to be done and appropriate treatment needs to be taken under professional medical supervision.
thanks

shw12
6:26 am

HI,
I AM AFRAID BUT SHE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RECOVERING.
A COUNSELLOR / PSYCHIATRIST SHOULD BE CONSULTEDIMMEDIATELY.
ECT IS AN OPTION.
SHE MAY NEED MANY SETTINGS ALONG WITH PROPER NURSING CARE TO GET HER OUT OF THIS CONDITION.

shalini p
7:55 am

hello there
she seems to be in deep sleep/comatose.
needs immediate admission into a icu care hospital.
needs proper neurological assessment form a neurologist
anticipate bedsores and take proper precautions

Ayman Darrag
12:10 pm

In my opinion she is taking enough medications ..and what she really needs is psychotherapy counseling and training plus physiotherapy..
Most of these issues are chronic and age related so maintainance of the situation is the treatment of choice concerning the metabolic disorders..physically and psychological ly she can be helped by psychotherapy and physiotherapy.
Thanks

Avery
Avery
4:53 pm

Please contact your local Elder Services if you haven’t already. They will advocate for her and make sure she gets immediate and appropriate treatment.